Pizarro: Hillary Clinton coming to San Jose in April

Silicon Valley fans can break out their Hillary Clinton campaign signs this spring when the former secretary of state and U.S. senator comes to San Jose for a speech in April.

The appearance by Clinton, who's been on the lecture circuit since leaving the Obama administration last year, will be a one-night bonus event for Unique Lives & Experiences, the speaker series that features a roster of famous women with fascinating stories. And that's Clinton's new middle name, as Barbara Walters reminded us a few weeks ago when she declared Hillary the Most Fascinating Person of 2013.

The likely Democratic presidential candidate for 2016 will take the stage at the 5,000-seat San Jose State Event Center on April 10. The speech isn't part of the Unique Lives subscription package, so even if you have tickets for the series (which kicks off Feb. 11 at the California Theatre with award-winning photographer Annie Griffiths), this one must be purchased on its own. Prices range from $50 to $200, and tickets are available at www.uniquelives.com or by calling 866 449-8118.

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FORTUITOUS FEAST: Hats off to the San Jose Water Co. for helping make January a little easier for some hungry folks in San Jose by underwriting the entire month of meals prepared and served by Martha's Kitchen for the fifth year in a row. John Tang, director of government relations for the water company, presented Martha's Kitchen Executive Director Edita Cruz with a check for $10,000 on Tuesday at a "Thanksgiving in January" celebration.

Diners were treated to a real Thanksgiving meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, veggies and a biscuit. Several San Jose city councilmen including Xavier Campos, Sam Liccardo, Pierluigi Oliverio and Don Rocha were on hand and poured beverages at tables. Meanwhile, a regular crew of volunteers was doing their part in the kitchen serving line, including Lon Normandin -- the longtime dean of valley car dealers -- who's been supporting Martha's Kitchen for years.

Cruz says that the water company's generosity is starting to catch on. California Drywall, which counts the new Levi's Stadium as one of its recent projects, signed on to take care of February and March. Anyone interested in sponsoring a month of meals can contact Cruz at editacruz@gmail.com.

DIRIDON KEEPS ROLLING: Rod Diridon, the former Santa Clara County Supervisor and current executive director of the Mineta Transportation Institute, will be receiving the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of University Transportation Centers at a banquet Saturday in Washington, D.C. There's a lot of track laid down behind Diridon -- the architect of Santa Clara County's light-rail system and the man for whom the Diridon Caltrain station in San Jose is named.

Despite the valedictory sentiment of the award, Diridon expects to have enough steam left in his engine for one more big achievement: Getting high-speed rail built in California.